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National Numeracy Day

Numbers play a big part in our lives. But many of us say we're not numbers people

We don't feel confident with maths and lack basic numeracy skills. That's what the National Numeracy charity is all about; helping you build your confidence and sharpen your numeracy skills.

From paying bills, to shopping, planning a journey, or even cooking - we use numbers every single day. But over 18 million of us lack the number skills to manage our money.

People in debt already feel overwhelmed with bills and confused by bank and credit card charges. If you also lack confidence with numbers, it can feel very disheartening. But just by getting a little help with our numbers, we can all improve our skills to get ahead. Worried about money? Get debt help now.

Being better with numbers isn’t a special talent, it’s something we can all learn at any stage in our lives.

That’s why for National Numeracy Day 2019, we’re encouraging everyone in the UK to take one simple step towards better confidence with numbers by taking the National Numeracy Challenge.

Take the challenge

Try your hand at National Numeracy's Essentials of Numeracy Challenge to find out if you've got the everyday maths skills you need for life and for work.

icon for different directionsEach question is multiple choice and uses examples of everyday maths

cog iconQuestions are tailored and adapt to how you answer them

clock iconThere's no timer or progress bar and you can save and come back whenever you need to

icon tick in a speech bubbleWhen you've finished, you'll get a breakdown of how you did as well as tips on how to improve.

Good luck!

Take the National Numeracy Challenge  

Better at numbers, better at budgeting

Getting better with numbers doesn't need to feel like rocket science. It's something we can all learn. Everyone can improve, and everyone can feel more positive about their abilities. We've put together a list of ways in which having better numeracy skills can have a positive impact on your life and wellbeing.

Understand your monthly income and spending

It's easy to make mistakes working out how much money you have to spend each month when you're juggling regular monthly, yearly and weekly amounts going in and out. Some quick maths will give you a clearer picture.

Work out the real cost of interest rates

Do you really understand how the charges on your overdraft total up? Have you got a good grasp of what you'll owe on your credit card in a year's time if you're only making the minimum payments? You can't guess these amounts - you really do need to calculate them.

Boost your confidence

Just by knowing you've got the basic skills with numbers to keep track of the money you owe and have available to spend, you'll feel so much better about facing any issues that come up.

Find out more about how budgeting can help you get your finances back on track

National Numeracy ambassadors

Bobby Seagull

Bobby Seagull

Former broker, trained maths teacher, columnist, television personality and ambassador for National Numeracy

"As a maths teacher, I obviously love all things numerical but I genuinely believe that all of us can improve our relationship with numbers. And we need to!

Where you’re checking your pay packet, budgeting for a holiday or splitting a restaurant bill, practical numeracy impacts us all.

So I’m excited to support National Numeracy day!

Rachel Riley

Rachel Riley

Television presenter, Oxford graduate and ambassador for National Numeracy

"There are too many adults in the UK with numeracy skills well below where they should be and it doesn’t have to be this way. Poor numeracy lowers confidence, limits job opportunities, and in many different ways costs people money. There’s loads of practical help available to improve and regain your confidence in dealing with numbers and I want people to know it’s never too late.

Everyone has a maths brain and with a little bit of effort and perseverance you can be numerate in no time!"

About National Numeracy Day

National Numeracy Day is brought to you by National Numeracy   and supported by ambassadors, businesses and organisations across the UK.